IELTS Speaking Exam – Part 2 & 3 Speaking Samples

In Part 2 of the speaking exam you will be given a topic to talk about. You will have one minute to prepare what you want to say and you should talk for one to two minutes.

At the end of your talk the examiner may ask you a question and you should give a very short answer to this.

When you have finished talking about the topic the exam moves into Part 3, where the examiner will ask you follow-up questions, expanding the topic you talked about in Part 2.

In Part 2 will you be talking about your personal experience but in Part 3 you are expected to talk more generally. In Part 3 the examiner can respond to what you say so there are no specific questions or question types you can practice but the examples below show the kind of question you may be asked.

Look at what the examiner will say and practice responses.

Holidays

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe a holiday you enjoyed.

On the task card:

Describe a holiday you enjoyed. You should say

when and where you went

who you went with

what you did on the holiday

and explain why you found this holiday particularly enjoyable.

Examiner: Would you go back to this place for a holiday?

Thank you. May I have to task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

Examiner: We’ve been talking about a holiday you enjoyed and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

First of all why do people go on holiday?

How important is it for families to go on holiday together?

Why do some people go on holiday alone?

What kind of holidays will be popular in the future?

Is it better to take a holiday in your own country or in a foreign country? Why?

What problems can people have on holiday in a foreign country?

Best Teacher

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe the best teacher you have had.

On the task card:

Describe the best teacher you have had. You should say:

what subject they taught

when you studied with them

what made them a good teacher

and explain why you think they are the best teacher you’ve had.

Examiner: Are you still in contact with this teacher?

Thank you. May I have the task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

We’ve been talking about the best teacher you’ve had and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

What are the most important qualities in a good teacher?

How respected are teachers in your society?

Do you think teachers get paid enough money? Why / Why not?

What things should children learn from their families?

Compare the education your parents’ had with the education you received.

Which subjects will be popular in the future? Why?

A journey

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe a journey you often take.

On the task card:

Describe a journey you often take. You should say:

what the journey is

who you take the journey with

what you can see during the journey

and explain why you take the journey.

Examiner: When was the last time you took this journey?

Thank you. May I have to task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

We’ve been talking about a journey you often take and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

What is the most popular type of transport in your city? Why?

What forms of transport will be popular in your country in the future?

What are the advantages of public transport compared to private transport?

How has the public transport system in your country changed in the last 20 years?

What is the best type of transport to take on a long journey? Why?

What are the benefits of travelling to a different country?

A useful thing

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe the most useful thing you own.

On the task card:

Describe the most useful thing you own. You should say:

what it is

how long you have had it

what you use it for

and explain why it is so useful to you.

Examiner: What would you do if you lost this item?

Thank you. May I have to task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

We’ve been talking about the most useful thing you own and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

What are the most popular electronic devices in your country at the moment?

Which devices do you think will become popular in the future?

Do you think electronic devices make modern life easier or more difficult? Why?

Which possessions show people have high status in your country?

Do you think money will be important in the future?

Can money make people happy?

An exciting experience

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe an exciting experience you’ve had.

On the task card:

Describe an exciting experience you’ve had. You should say:

when it was

where you were

what it was

and explain what made this experience especially exciting.

Examiner: Would you like to do this again?

Thank you. May I have to task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

We’ve been talking about an exciting experience you’ve had and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

Can you compare the exciting activities people do now with activities people did 20 years ago?

Why do some people enjoy doing dangerous sports?

Should some dangerous activities be banned? Why/Why not?

How important is it that a job is interesting?

Should people try new experiences? Why?

How do you think people’s free time activities will change in the next 10 years?

Being late

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe a time you were late for something.

On the task card:

Describe a time you were late for something. You should say:

when it was

why you were late

how people reacted to you being late

and explain what happened because you were late.

Examiner: Are you often late for things?

Thank you. May I have to task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

We’ve been talking about a time you were late for something and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

When is it very important that people arrive on time?

What is the attitude towards arriving late in your country?

Can you suggest some ways to make sure you are not late for anything?

How easy is it to manage your time in the modern world?

Do you think computers makes it easier or more difficult to manage time?

How much free time do you think people will have in the future?

A useful electronic device

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe an electronic device (not a mobile phone) you would like to own.

On the task card:

Describe a useful electronic device you would like to own. You should say:

what it is

how it would help your life

if it would be expensive to buy

and explain why you would like it.

Examiner: Do you think you will own this thing?

Thank you. May I have to task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

We’ve been talking about a useful electronic device you’d like to own and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

What are the most popular electronic devices in Vietnam at the moment?

What devices do you think will be popular in the future?

Do you think people spend too much money on electronic devices?

In what ways can electronic devices make our lives harder?

What would the world be like without computers?

Should children be taught to use computers at school?

A good party

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe the best party you’ve been to.

On the task card:

Describe the best party you have been to. You should say:

whose party it was

who was there

what happened at the party

and explain what made it so enjoyable.

Examiner: Do you usually enjoy going to parties?

Thank you. May I have to task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

We’ve been talking about a party you’ve been to and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

When do people usually have parties in your country?

What makes a good party?

Why do some people not enjoy going to parties?

How important is it to celebrate important events with a group of people?

What is the best way to meet new people?

How long does it take for a new person to become a friend?

An important decision

Part 2

Examiner: Here’s a paper and pencil for making notes and here’s your topic. I’d like you to describe an important decision you’ve made.

On the task card:

Describe an important decision you have made. You should say:

what the decision was

why you made that choice

who helped you make the choice

and explain why the decision was so important.

Examiner: Do you usually find it easy to make decisions?

Thank you. May I have to task card paper and pencil back?

Part 3

We’ve been talking about a decision you’ve made and now I’d like to discuss one or two more general questions related to this.

Why do some people find it hard to make decisions?

How important is it to get advice from other people when making decisions?

Why is it sometimes difficult to accept advice?

What are some of the most important decisions young people have to make?

Do you agree that parents should make important decisions for their children?

Is it better to make a decision thinking about what you want or thinking about what other people want?